This multi-grade curriculum unit provides educators with the tools to increase awareness about the problem of cyberbullying among their students. Each lesson introduces age appropriate information and skills that encourage youth to think critically about Internet communication, develop empathy for others, respond constructively to cyberbullying and online aggression and interact safely on the Internet.

Research on Cyberbullying

According to Cox Communications and the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 95% of youth (teens ages 13–17) in the U.S. go online and 78% have cell phones and 80% use social networking sites. For the current generation of teens, gaming, video chatting, text messaging and social networking are a vital means of self-expression and a central part of their social lives.

However, there are some youth who are misusing Internet and cell phone technology to bully and harass others, and even to incite violence against them.

Approximately 24% of young people reported experiencing cyberbullying in their lifetimes.

About 1 in 10 teens have cyberbullied someone online or by text message.

Of social media-using teens ages 12–17, 15% have been the target of online meanness and 88% have seen someone be mean or cruel on social network sites.

View our bullying/cyberbullying infographics in English (PDF) or Spanish (PDF) for more statistics.

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